Weaning Angelina was something I had been dreading for probably 2 months before I actually pulled it off.

As a breastfeeding mother you are so focused on making sure that you have a consistent milk supply and that your baby is well fed you don’t really put as much thought into weaning your child.

At least I never did.

I fell in love with my baby on my breast. We would cuddle up so close and snuggle. I could smell her skin, look into her eyes, fold her cruncky legs into the creases of my arms and waist.

Sadly, all good things come to an end.

I tried to give Angelina a bottle of milk when she was around 13 months or so but she spat it out and made no effort to pick it up again.

Why would she? Plastic bottle, cold milk? Her whole life was cozy with mom, a soft touch, and warm sweet milk.

I delayed weaning a few more weeks then months. Finally, I started cutting out one feed a month. So for a month I didn’t nurse her between 9 am and 9pm. She could eat food, or I would try giving her the bottle.

Next, I would cut out the 10pm, 1 am feed. One after the next.

Eventually, she wouldn’t wake up at 10pm for a feed. Then she wouldn’t wake up till 3pm. It was starting to work. I was cutting back one feed at a time, very very slowly.

The only feeds that were left were the “pre-bedtime” feed and then the “3am” and “6am” feeds.

Every few weeks I would cut one feed out.

The final feeds left were the “pre-bedtime” and the “3am” feeds.

Finally, I got her to kind of take a bottle at bedtime, eventually she would sleep trough the night.

One morning she went out for Sunday breakfast with Michael and the kids. I woke up to an empty house. No baby to nurse.

She didn’t need me anymore. She was a big girl out to brekkie with the gang. I had a choice at that momemnt. I could feel sad and miss my sweet baby. Or I could take a shower , toss that nursing bra, and put on a non-button down blouse for the first time in a year and a half!!

We love being around books and that makes the library and the book store a popular destination for us! All the kids love to go, and since it’s been raining on and off this past week, being indoors has never been easier.

I love being around books too. It’s so fun to see what kind of reading material each child is drawn to, and how it changes over time.

Alexander is 4.5 and he loves the Bernstein Bear books and a few of the Dr. Seuss ones too.

Annabelle also enjoys the Bernstein Bear books ( she reads them to herself now!) and all stories Princess, Barbie, and Pinkalicious. I love it, really sweet and girly.

Last week I read a “learn to potty” book and she really absorbed it! So much so that 2 nights ago she used her potty successfully for the very first time, all on her own initiative !! I was so shocked. I thought we were going to spend days and weeks covering the “concept” of the potty together, so I really think the book helped a lot. Probably doesn’t hurt that she’s been watching her brother and sister go too. I guess those are some of the benefits of being the youngest of 3 kids!

Thank you to Kute ‘n’ Koo for this adorable diaper bag! So modern and pretty, with a really cute aqua changing mat inside, tons of pockets too! Great for a trip to the library! Treat yourself or a mom you love!

Another thank you to our longtime parters TWISTSHAKE bottles for these beautiful beakers that are made for kids as little as Angelina, to as “big” as big sissy, Annabelle.